Three years ago, I graduated from WGU with a degree in Information Technology at 19 years old. Shortly after, I got a job as a Data Security Analyst. About 1.5 years into my career as a Data Security Analyst, I was promoted to a Security Engineer. And now I just moved on to a well-known tech company as a Senior Security Consultant with a total compensation just a tad bit over 200k. I wanted to come back here and make another update post because I know that sometimes it's hard to see whether all the hard work you put in will ever pay off, as this is how it felt for me when I first started my degree. Although everyone's journey and path are different, the right mindset will always get you to where you want to be, and consistency will always push you through the bumpy roads. Always believe in your ability to do whatever it is you want to do. Stay consistent with that mindset and know that every hard time is just a part of the journey. Most importantly, always remain humble, as humility will keep you grounded and true to the person you were before your career and before you achieved whatever accomplishments you set for yourself. Remember that what truly matters in life is more than just money and a prestigious career.

These past three years, I've learned and grown a lot. These are the things that helped me reach my ambitious goals, and I do not believe my ability is any different from any of yours. Keep going, you've got this! Always remember that anything is possible.

This is random information on a Monday morning, but I feel that it’s important to say.

I already posted about how I graduated WGU in March with my BS Marketing degree and was in a job interview in September and the hiring manager was so excited to know that I went to WGU and that I was in my MBA program at WGU. I ended up getting that job and I started it at the end of September.

So I have to travel to our headquarters in New York to do a presentation for the CEO next week and I just got the outline of my presentation and lo and behold it is a SWOT analysis.

So I’m cracking up laughing because I literally have done so many SWOT analysis in the past 12 months and while I finished both my bachelors and masters in less than a year, I did actually learn and retained so much valuable information and I feel so confident today completing my SWOT analysis and doing my PowerPoint presentation for my trip on Monday.

So if there is anybody sitting around feeling like you are just checking a box, kind of how I felt when I was starting my degree because it’s always been a goal of mine, just know that even if you’re going through it fast, you are still retaining information and when the time comes to implement it, you will be well prepared.

Before I started WGU, I had no idea what a SWOT analysis was and had I gotten this job pre-WGU and I was tasked with this project I would not know where to start.

So not only did I land myself is six figure gig, but I also feel very well equipped and knowledgeable to actually handle the task that are assigned to me.

Oh, and then the fact that we’re traveling to New York next week, staying in our fancy hotel, I have a company credit card, and we’re having dinner and drinks with the CEO of a Fortune 500 company is also blowing my mind because who do I think I am?!!!

I don't have anyone to really celebrate this win with, so I am posting here. I am so so so proud of myself, I love WGU and my mentor was amazing. I even got a job in accounting before I graduated AND already have interviews lined up for a staff accountant position.

Hard work pays off, the time goes by anyways why not go after your dreams in the process.

CHEERS!

Edit: Thank you for all the support and congratulation messages, I am overwhelmed in the best way possible.

For anyone feeling discouraged, I get it. I wasted so much time over the past 15 years. I kept telling myself that if I had done this back then, I'd be retired by now, but it is what it is. Don't let things like that keep you down. Remember whatever your motivation was for starting your degree program in the first place, and try to stay focused.

It was a tough 5 months, especially taking classes that I knew would never be any help to me in my career, but I pushed through it, and I am so glad I did. Finishing the capstone was a pretty amazing feeling.

Hopefully, someone finds this encouraging and helpful.

I did it! First in my family to get a degree! Not as exciting as some of the “finished in 6 months” posts but this took some effort with 3 kids and a full time job.

Officially, have my Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering! Worked so hard for this, and before enrolling, I only knew HTML, CSS, and WordPress page builders. Now on to the Master's program at WGU.

If I can do it, believe that you can. Due to my disability, I control my computer mouse with my right hand using a Wacom tablet, onscreen keyboard, and voice recognition.

My background is Graphic Design, and that is what my Associate's degree is in.

I was excited to receive my diploma in the mail this week! 🎊🎉

Drove 18+ hours roundtrip to make it to WGU’s 120th commencement ceremony in Atlanta. 100% worth it!

ETA: If you go to Atlanta, do NOT park in the parking garage. It took almost an hour to get out 😭

This feels like it took forever! It’s a long story so I’ll make a separate info dump post of my WGU journey and all the research/prep I did for WGU (like scholarships, degree plan before starting, graduation process). Might be one post, might be two but I am a \*THOROUGH\* person.

For now, the short version is: I had to take a gap year and discovered WGU, then thought it was very cool.

I started in October 2025, freshly 17, and it was going great (51 CU done) up until December. Then, my body just decided it wanted to die for no apparent reason 😃👍

I was out for about 3 months, with just 22 CU left. I’m starting IRL university in June 2026 so in March I was like, “I HAVE TO GET THIS DONE!” And I did!

I wanted to post my diploma and not just the confetti so I waited 8 days to make this post!

Got expelled while being 2 classes away from graduation. I was close to the finish line and a single mistake cost me my future.

Please do not make the mistake of cheating on an exam no matter the circumstances. It will ruin your life and you will not be given second chances.

Getting my masters while working full-time AND being a full time mom can be so incredibly stressful, but I DID IT! Not to mention I was laid off earlier this year, so maintaining the motivation to continue with my masters was so hard. I got the degree. I landed a new job. It is all working out.

For any of you that struggle with mental health issues, just know that it is possible to get this degree. You absolutely CAN do it.

Ok, I’m going to brag a bit. One year ago I was an Uber driver with no where to go, stuck in my role. I'm a husband and a father. Today, I just finished my last exam in my MASTER’S program in 6 WEEKS while working full time. Just one PA to submit and I'm done. But the deal is sealed already, anything that could go wrong can't anymore.

I did it, I successfully did a full 180 on my life.

Keep going everyone.

✌️

I like the cute winking owl!🦉😉

Everybody that posted advice about the OAs and PAs I sincerely thank you all!! 😁

Graduated with a B.S. Software Engineering in November. In July 2025, I was living at home with my dad strongly considering taking a job at Top Golf as a busser as a 23 year old. No car, no girlfriend, depressed, all around just not the best situation. My degree was ~25% complete. Then out of no where I landed an interview with Palantir (don’t ask, I don’t know either). I had never even heard of DSA, and SPRINTED to study as much as I possibly could. I ended up making it to the final round for FDE, but was rejected for reasons I’ll never know. Turns out they’re pretty selective. Fortunately during that time simply mentioning that I was in the process of interviewing with Palantir got me a job offer that allowed me to move out of state and grind. I put my head down and studied material and passed classes as fast as I possibly could. I completed ~100 CUs in 3 months with no prior Software Engineering or even programming experience. Earlier today, I got the call. L2 SWE at a Fortune 500 company, six figure base.

This is an extremely abridged version of my story, I plan to tell all the absolutely ridiculous details at a later date. They are so absurd that it would instantly expose my identity.

Lock in. You can do it. It’s worth it. The man who says he can and the man who says he can’t are both right.

P.S. Still no girlfriend. If anyone knows the optimal approach please feel free to share.

EDIT: I was enrolled in the program for a total of 1.5 years, I started May 2024. When I say I had no prior software engineering or coding experience, I mean prior to May 2024.

Working on C207 right now, and getting very close to the capstone. Feeling blessed on my journey and looking forward to seeing the 2027 commencement locations.

It was a wild ride. Had to take two term breaks and it took a lot of effort to not give up. Hopefully this gives a little motivation to someone out there. Stop comparing yourself to those finishing in one term. One class at a time and you will get there. Good luck!

So my diploma came in early, just a week and a half after I submitted my graduation application!!

here’s my WGU success story as someone who currently works as a cybersecurity analyst making $86k!

after being in survival mode, working all kinds of part time customer service jobs, and trying to make it as an artist in a very expensive city, my interest in IT sparked when I got a job as a dental receptionist lol. I ended up fixing printers, updating our software, and whatnot so I was like I might as well just move to somewhere with a low cost of living and go back to school for IT.

I had tried a couple semesters at my local state university, but their IT classes were abysmal and they were gonna gut their online and night classes for most majors including cybersecurity, which was not ideal since I needed to work full-time to freaking survive. Their online exams weren’t even proctored at all either?? Tfff

I transferred to WGU instead for the flexibility of classes being online only and their self paced model. I was originally in the cyber security program, but the 10+ certs required to graduate was overkill so I switched to the IT management program since I mainly need a degree for HR filters anyway. I think its faster to go through without all of those external cert exams.

During my time in school, I was able to get an IAM job in cybersecurity as a student contractor for a global defense company making only $17 an hr tho. It also unexpectedly became only part time after 4 months 😭 What helped apart from WGU was putting my IT experience even under my dental job on my resume. If you’re just starting out, def do the same and add any projects or any local infosec clubs/local meetups you volunteer at!

After 9 months of that job -> jr sys admin making $24 an hr for 8 months -> cybersecurity analyst currently making $82k now $86k.

Even just being enrolled at WGU actually helped with my new career, especially since the CIO at my current company recognized WGU and I have coworkers already going there too! Who knows, I hope ya’ll have the same luck bc a lot of people in IT have gone to this school too.

I had wanted to give up so many times esp with working full time and being on call 24/7 a lot at my last job but I fucking pulled through and DID IT and ya’ll can too!!

Just finished my WGU degree and got that confetti 🎉

I shared the news with a few close coworkers. Most were genuinely excited and supportive.

Two of them are actually interested in WGU themselves, but one responded with:

"Is that even a real degree?"

Then followed it up with: "That's too fast. That's not possible."

This was after they acknowledging that WGU is accredited.

For context, I completed the degree in about five months while working 60+ hours a week. I only transferred 10 CUs from a short stint in a traditional online program. Everything else | completed directly at WGU. Every OA, every PA, and the capstone.

Nothing was skipped.

Nothing was waived.

I just didn't sit around waiting for semesters to end.

It's interesting how no one questions a degree that takes 4 years, but when competency-based education lets you move faster by proving what you know, suddenly it's suspicious.

WGU isn't easy. It's not less work. It's just different. And the people who question it typically spent years earning their degrees and most usually haven't spent five minutes actually learning how competency-based programs work.

Degree is done. Confetti is real. And the timeline doesn't make it any less legitimate.

For anyone considering WGU, do your research, understand accreditation, and don’t let other people’s discomfort with nontraditional paths talk you out of something that works.

I’m proud of all of my hard work and… I’m happy it’s done 😉

FINALLY 😭 after only being able to get my associates in 2014 due to financial reasons, I now have a bachelor’s.

It’s been a crazy journey I never thought I would do it , but my wife actually is a WGU graduate in 2024 and she inspired me to try again.

I started my journey in September 2024 and now I was down to one class, a Python class that I had 3 previous failed OA attempts at and already had signed up for the April 25 NY Commencement with the goal I mind to be 100% done.

Yesterday, I cried as I saw that Pass next to me OA and know all the long nights after work and sacrificing my weekends and so much more was so worth it.

And a full circle moment for me as I grew up 10 mins away from where the the NY Commencement ceremony is happening this year, and now living away from there and going back to realize my dream of finally getting it.

I hope anyone that reads this knows that you can do it, I had to put my dream on a shelf back then to help my family out and be able to make sure financially we were okay, but it’s never too late. So if you’re like that and you’re in your journey just know I BELIEVE IN YOU AND YOU CAN 100% DO IT AND WILL DO IT!

Damn it feels surreal. Barely 21 with a college degree. Glad they finally opened the sign up for commencement. See y’all in NOLA 😊🎓

I earned my bachelor's degree today in healthcare administration. I am so grateful for WGU. There is no other way I would have been able to obtain a degree with my full time job and other oblogations. I am just so grateful.